The Short Pump Kroger Bar has long been a place where our community has gathered to share a drink, have a conversation, and meet friends, new and old alike, for many, many years. It has played a significant part in the lives of many, including its employees, so this news has shaken many to the core.

New management has hastily made the decision to close our adored little bar, "because it's not as profitable", without taking the time to look into the other ways that it supports the store, much less how it supports our community.  Many consider the friends made there like a second family, so this is a devastating loss for a lot of these long-time customers.

If Kroger management wanted to make the bar profitable, they could try to raise prices, after all, they lowered prices to shockingly cheap prices, just a few short years ago.  This store gets untold foot traffic from folks stopping in for a quick sip, and then picking up the day's dinner, but that hasn't seemed to factor into management's decision making.  Apparently, management would rather turn Kroger into just another Food Lion, while Wegman's and Whole Foods' business booms!  Was competitive research analysis done? What data supports this decision, while people are losing their jobs and our community loses a place to gather?

The memories and the camaraderie that have been created, are a cherished piece of so many of our hearts.  Please help us garnish enough signatures to make management slow their decision making, and find other ways to increase revenue, before taking away our treasured gathering place.